It Got To Me

In Vegas for his friend’s bachelor party, a happily married Cal wakes from a drunken stupor and finds himself in a compromising position. Torn by the thought that he’s been unfaithful to his wife Shelly, Cal does the honorable thing and comes clean.

Shelly is blindsided and devastated by Cal’s revelation. Unable to accept his betrayal of their vows, Shelly moves out and files for divorce. Stunned and desperate to save his marriage Cal asks for 8 dates to prove his love for her and his commitment to their relationship.

8 weeks is a heartbreakingly sweet love story. I have to say it’s the first time in a story where I actually felt sorry for the “cheater”. It’s clear Cal loves his wife and you find yourself rooting for him to win Shelly back and boy does he have a long hard road ahead of him!

The audiobook 8 weeks slides in at just under 4 ½ hours and is narrated by Beth Stewart. Beth’s delivery is a little uneven at times. Overall, she did a decent job on this fully voiced production and I wouldn’t hesitate to listen to another audiobook narrated by her.

I enjoyed the writing of Bethany Lopez and look forward to hearing more of her audiobooks.

This audiobook was given to me at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review, thanks, Audiobook Boom!

2 people found this helpful

Very Nice Story

4 stars for the book, 2.5 for narration
This was actually a really good book. I thought it was an interesting spin on the topic. I felt the writing of the characters really conveyed their feelings realistically regardless if you agreed or felt you would react a different way. It wasn't overly emotional, but yet it really dealt with an issue and the emotions people can relate to in a contemplative way.

The narration, however, fell somewhat short of this. It wasn't bad. I've heard bad. So, that's what was hard for me. I just felt that the hills and valleys that the author wrote beautifully were not reflected in the narration. The narrator had good inflection, but not the depths. So, real hurt and pain didn't "feel" real. Yet, I think she had a lot of potential. It was almost there, but not which kept me from "feeling" the characters. The feeling in the writing came through though.

I am definitely looking forward to more from this author.

I received this copy as an ARC for an honest review.

2 people found this helpful

Shelly and Cal

This was a pretty good book. I am glad Shelly gave Cal the eight weeks to try to work things out after an incident at his friends bachelor party in Vegas that was seemingly the ultimate betrayal. Did he really cheat? Beth Stewart did a good job with the narration. I received this free copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

1 person found this helpful

Emotional and touching story about true love

I originally read this back in 2014 and it was a book that stayed with me. It was emotional and touching and showed what the power of love can do. So when I had the chance to listen to the audiobook, I jumped at the chance. Beth Stewart brought Cal and Shelly’s story to life for me in a new way and I loved it.

This was an emotional read, but also showed a side of marriage that we do not always get in romances. We know from the blurb what happened, but can Cal save his marriage or is it too late? I loved seeing Cal and Shelly reconnecting and realized all they have shared and could have. This truly is a tale of true love.

Happy listening!

1 person found this helpful

Great Story of forgiveness

Would you consider the audio edition of 8 Weeks to be better than the print version?

I would consider either version a great choice.. This is a lovely story perfect for a weekend read.

What about Beth Stewart’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed Beth Stewart's performance overall. I would look for her as a narrator in the future. Her character readings were very good. I rated this narration a 4 of 5 because in some of the background narrations, I felt there needed to be more emotion as there were some lovely long pieces that I felt were a bit flat.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did listen to this in one short and one long sitting. The story moves over the course of 8 weeks and keeps you rooting for the characters and wanting to see what Cal plans to win Shelly's forgiveness after his awful betrayal.

Any additional comments?

The love story between Cal and Shelly had been love at first sight way back in the 11t grade They married and were happy six years later until Cal commits the ultimate betrayal. How did it happen? What could he do to make it up to her? Shelly gives him 8 weeks to convince her not to file for a divorce. Following the couple and their close group of friends through the eight weeks of Cal's planned dates keeps you wondering until the end, Will Shelly forgive him, will they be able to go forward together. My only warning is the language although it seems present in most literature.

“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

1 person found this helpful

Very good

“ I voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good book and recommend this book to my friends

1 person found this helpful

This one grabs you by your emotions and holds on

The beginning is a bit tough, it starts with a bang with Cal waking up in a hotel room with a woman who isn’t his wife. It’s tough to listen to and even though this is just minutes into the book I already felt for Cal and Shelly.

I love the 8 weeks concept, 8 dates over 8 weeks one for each of the 8 years they’re been together to try to save their relationship.

It’s really interesting to see then changes that happen over those 8 weeks as they both try to come to terms with what happened and what that means for them both.

This story is so emotionally engaging that I can barely stand to stop listening (so annoying that I have to stop for work), I’m desperate for each new revelation. I cried, I laughed, I felt heartbroken for Shelly and Cal at different time, the story and the narration combined was so powerful!

The narration is really good, I love the character voices, I feel like the characters personalities are coming through really well and the whole narration is nicely paced. OMG Beth manages to convey so much of the emotion of the book, it's amazingly good!

This book was supplied free by the author/narrator/publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

1 person found this helpful

Will she forgive and forget?

This book is written by a new author to me and performed by a new narrator. It is a new adult book that deals with betrayal and those feelings that surround that. This story is told in dual POV. The topic deals with a real life issues and those feelings and emotions. I was voluntarily provided with this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, narrator and/or publisher. This book is a standalone listen and does not end in a cliffhanger.

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful emotional narration!

Any additional comments?

First things first: I HATE cheating in any kind of romance novels. It’s a dead giveaway that I will have troubles with the book. Because although I’m not married yet (but engaged) I am absolutely positive that I would not be unable to forgive my partner, no matter if he did it only once or repeatedly.

Cal is lucky that he had troubles remembering himself cheating at all. It does not make it an easier pill to swallow for the wife and yet it can be seen in a different light as had he cheated fully intentionally. Oh, and instead of hiding it, he went home and directly told his wife. Big plus for Cal in my book.

Hypocritical? Yeah, well, maybe a bit. But I need to believe in the happy end, at least when it comes to 99 % of the romance novels I read. Plus, I am a sucker for stories about forgiveness, second chances, especially such where a marriage is in jeopardy, in general. How two people who have been together for so long reveal new facets of one another they did not know about and discover once again the things they love about each other.
And within those 8 weeks, Cal discovered so many new things about Shelly.

I loved that Shelly did not give in easily, that during their dates there were many bumps which rather pulled her into the opposite direction of Cal. Although she let her feelings shine through at times, Cal really had to work for his second chance.

It was that concept of the 8 weeks, the defined timeframe Cal requested from his wife to win her back that peaked my interest. And I did not regret it one second. This book is highly emotional and tears threatened to blur my vision on more than one occasion, which was not that funny because I listened to the audio book version while driving to and from work.

Narrator Beth Stewart did a wonderful job. The emotions in her voice only added to my heartbreak. Each character could be told apart by the different tones and I actually think that the voice she gave Cal worked in his favor with me. He talked with that smooth voice and I wanted to like that idiot, although he so stupidly cheated on his loving wife.

I am going to look into the other books of this series, that’s for sure :)
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook.

1 person found this helpful

A sweet love story

What made the experience of listening to 8 Weeks the most enjoyable?

The sweetness of the couple

What other book might you compare 8 Weeks to and why?

Not really sure there is one. Romance is not my preferred genre

Which scene was your favorite?

The one at the karaoke bar

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

His vulnerability at the bar.

Any additional comments?

Full review:
8 Weeks Time for Love #1

By Bethany Lopez Narrated by Beth Stewart

After “possibly” making the worse mistake a married man can make, Cal asks Shelly to give him 8 weeks to show her how much he loves her. Cal hopes to save his marriage with 8 dates; he plans 8 Saturday nights in an attempt to win back the love of his young wife. That can’t be too challenging, right?
8 Weeks is a quick and smooth read or listen; the characters are well developed and the writing is superb. This group of young adults will have someone to remind us all of one of our friends. I liked the story and would recommend this book to anyone who like romance, or just for a quick and fun read. I still want to know what really happened in Vegas, but the story was fine without knowing.
Overall, 8 Weeks is a strong 4.5 Boundless Stars.

1 person found this helpful